Bobrovsky, Henrik Lundqvist and Antti Niemi vie for this year’s award given to the NHL’s top netminder

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been named a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, given annually “to the goalkeeper adjudged to be the best at his position” as voted by National Hockey League general managers, the League and club announced today. The other finalists for the award are Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers (24-16-3, 2.05 goals-against average, .926 save percentage, two shutouts in 43 games) and Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks (24-12-6, 2.16 goals-against average, .924 save percentage, four shutouts in 43 games).

The winner will be announced during the 2013 Stanley Cup Final, with more detail on format to be released at a later date.

Bobrovsky, 24, posted a 21-11-6 record with a 2.00 goals-against average, .932 save percentage and four shutouts in 38 games this season. Among goaltenders that played 25 or more games, he ranked first in save percentage, second in goals-against average and sixth (tied) in wins and shutouts. He surrendered two goals or less in 26-of-38 games, including 10 outings in which he allowed one goal. He made 30 or more saves 16 times, including a season-high 39 on four occasions. From March 1 through the end of the season, he posted an 18-5-3 record with a 1.60 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and four shutouts in 26 games.

“It is a great honor to be a finalist for this award, but I need to thank my teammates and coaches as it would not be possible without them,” said Bobrovsky. “I just tried to work hard and get better every day and help the Blue Jackets win games. We missed the playoffs by one point, but it was a good year and I will just try to keep getting better because our goal is to win the Stanley Cup.”

Bobrovsky was named one of the NHL’s Three Stars of the Week on three occasions during the 2012-13 season. He was named First Star for the weeks ending April 14 (3-0-0, 0.97 GAA, .971 SV% in 3 GP) and March 10 (4-0-0, 0.77 GAA, .972 SV% in 4 GP) and Third Star for the week ending March 17 (1-0-2, 0.62 GAA, .982 SV% in 3 GP). He was also named Third Star of the Month for March (9-2-3, 1.49 GAA, .950 SV%, 3 SO in 14 GP).

A native of Novokuznetsk, Russia, he was acquired by the Blue Jackets from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for second and fourth round picks in the 2012 NHL Draft and a fourth round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft on June 22, 2012. He has gone 63-34-16 with a 2.49 goals-against average, .917 save percentage and four shutouts in 121 career NHL games with the Blue Jackets and Flyers. Signed as an undrafted free agent, Bobrovsky went 28-13-8 with a 2.59 goals-against average and .915 save percentage in 54 games as a rookie in 2010-11.